God’s Steadfast Love

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Ps. 136:1)

There are twenty-six verses in psalm 136. The second line in every verse is the same: “…for his steadfast love endures forever.”

This line is the refrain for everything the psalmist lists in praise to God: who created the sun to rule over the day; who saved the Jews from their oppressors; who delivered them through the Red Sea; who rescued them from their foes. Everything that’s created, everything that matters, every good gift happens because God’s steadfast love endures forever.

In psalm 136, the author uses this refrain for every aspect in the history of the Jewish people. What would happen if we were to write our own psalm of praise to God for all He has given to us? “I was born and had loving parents, for His steadfast love endures forever.” “I have been blessed with faithful friends and remarkable gifts, for His steadfast love endures forever.”

Think about every important aspect of your life, every precious relationship, everything you are grateful for, and then add, “for his steadfast love endures forever.”

God’s steadfast love fills, follows, leads, holds, and surrounds us. We have life and joy and hope and wonder because of God’s steadfast love enduring now and forever.

What would the psalm of your life look like? How many verses would you have? Could you ever finish it, either in this lifetime or in the next?

Psalm 136 is about giving thanks for God’s steadfast love enduring forever. There’s a wonderful thing that happens when we practice gratitude: The more we are grateful, the more we see things to be grateful for.

I encourage us to write our own psalm of gratitude. As we do so, let’s always remember to include the refrain that makes every good thing in our life possible: “For his steadfast love endures forever.”

Reflection Questions:

If you thought about your life as a thank-you note to God, would you live or speak or treat others any differently?

When people don’t thank us for the gifts we give, how do we feel? Have you ever considered how God feels when we don’t?

Gratitude is always attractive. Ingratitude isn’t. What kind of face do you wear before God and to the world?